Method of merging at least two streams of fluid into a single body of liquid



Sept. 22, 1964 j B. SOSNICK 3,149,783

MIST AND SPRAY PRODUCTION METHOD AND NOZZLE DESIGNS Original Filed March 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 III I r a 5 5 I i V/////////n. I

BENJAMIN SOSNICK Sept. 22, 1964 B. SOSNICK 3,149,783

MIST AND SPRAY PRODUCTION METHOD AND NOZZLE DESIGNS Original Filed March 5, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 6 44 4/ Fla 7 40 FIG. 8

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in; V 2 3 42/10/11 BENJAMIN SOSNICK United States Patent 3,149,783 METIIGD (BF MERGING AT LEAT 'IWG STREAMS 0F FLUID INTO A SINGLE RUDY (IF LIQUID Benjamin Sosnick, 14855 Golf Drive, San dose 27, Calif. Original application Mar. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 718,629, new Patent No. 2,999,647, dated Sept. 12, 1961. Divided and this application Sept. 12, I961, Scr. No. 146,672

5 Claims. (Cl. 239-11) This is a division of application Serial No. 718,629, filed March 3, 1958, and now Patent No. 2,999,647.

This invention relates to nozzle means for emitting water or other fluid from a single orifice in a spray pattern which may be varied at will to provide a solid cone shaped mist of controlled variation of distribution of the liquid throughout all portions thereof, or a solid conical shaped spray, also having distribution of liquid throughout, or a solid cylindrical stream. The pattern exhibited by the emitted fluid may be controlled with great ease to provide, within an included angle of any desired amount up to a maximum of about 170, any desired distribution from mainly at center to substantially uniform to mainly at periphery.

My invention provides a greatly simplified means of producing either a cone shaped mist or cone shaped spray. I provide larger channels than heretofore proposed for this purpose for a given pressure of input fluid, thereby greatly reducing the possibility of clogging and of course producing greater output volume.

My invention provides a nozzle which is entirely devoid of all mechanical moving parts with the sole exception of suitable Valve means, for example, a port valve which may be used to change the form in which the fluid is emitted from the nozzle. At the same time I provide means for producing a mist having the form of a cone and being solid i.e., having equal or otherwise as desired fluid distribution throughout at any desired angle, hereinafter referred to as a solid cone mist, or a solid cone spray of any desired angle. Said angle may be any angle between a very wide angle such as 170 and an angle of 2 suit able to produce a solid straight spray or nearly cylindrical stream.

Many devices have been heretofore proposed for producing a spray and mist, but those which have been produced and are now in use have various disadvantages which are overcome in my invention. The nozzle of my invention is devoid of mechanisms which clog or wear out due to friction between parts and is devoid of movable members near the output orifice which in nozzles of the prior art tend to stick or seize or otherwise malfunction. My invention furthermore eliminates the disadvantage of well known spray nozzles in which circular rotation of the fluid is provided in a chamber immediately preceding the output orifice, in that such nozzles produce a hollow conical spray or mist i.e., one in which fluid distribution throughout the spray is not equal, but a much greater amount of fluid is emitted near the sides of the cone than in the center of the cone. In my nozzie, fluid distribution throughout the nozzle is relatively equal when so desired, or greater at the center, or greater at the periphery.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved nozzle means for providing a solid cone mist or spray.

Another object is improved nozzle means for providing, with a minimum of elfort and adjustment, a solid cone spray or mist of any desired included angle while having substantial distribution of fluid emission of desired distribution pattern throughout a cone of any included angle at which the operator may wish to have the device.

Another object is a nozzle means having these ad- 3,149,783 Patented Sept. 22, 1964 ice vantages and the further advantages of having no moving parts near the output orifice and therefore being relatively trouble free.

Other objects will become apparent from the drawings and from the following detailed description in which it is intended to illustrate the applicability of the invention without thereby limiting its scope to less than that of all equivalents which will be apparent to one skilled in the art. In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts and:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my invention; 7

FIGURE 2 is a partially cut-away partially cross-sectional plan view of the embodiment of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 taken on line 33;

FIGURE 4 is a partially cut-away fragmentary side view of another embodiment;

FIGURE 5 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a cut-away perspective view of one embodiment of my invention;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional side View of the outer cylindrical tube of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the inner cylindrical tube of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of my invention;

FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the outer cylindrical tube of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 9; and

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the inner cylindrical tube of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 9.

In accordance with my invention I accomplished the aforesaid objects and have achieved the advantages mentioned above by providing in a nozzle a first stream of fluid traveling toward the orifice from which the fluid is to be emitted substantially coaxially with the axis of the orifice and provided also one or more streams which are not coaxial but which intercept or impinge upon said first stream on the outer portions thereof in such manner as to introduce rotational movement in at least the outer portions of said first stream. Said streams are brought into conjuncture in a chamber devoid of mechanically moving parts, twisting, straightening, or twirling means and generally in a chamber devoid of mechanical means interposed to the flow of either of the streams except to confine the combined streams to the outlet. The first stream may be defined as a stream having a straight line flow and the other stream or streams as stream or streams having a rotating flow (rotational component with respect to the first stream). The streams mutually interact as follows: the stream having a straight line flow draws the rotational stream towards the center, while the rotating flow produces rotation of the straight line flow. The extent of mutual interaction may be suitably controlled in accordance with my invention to provide a spray or mist having substantially equal fluid distribution throughout or any desired variation of distribution from greater at center to greater at periphery (which may be varied at will) as hereinbefore described. Said control is accomplished in at least one embodiment by suitably varying the velocity of the stream having straight line flow, or by alternately or simultaneously varying the velocity of one or more of the streams having rotational flow, or by variation of the ratio of the cross sectional dimensions of the stream having straight line flow and the streams having rotational flow. Said control is accomplished in at least one other embodiment by varying the velocity of the feed stream to the nozzle. Thus I provide a simple but highly and surprisingly effective means of producing a fluid in a conical spray or mist having any desired angle and having substantially any desired variation of fiuid distribution from almost entirely at center to substantially uniform to mainly at periphery.

According to the purpose for which it is desired to utilize the spray or mist, there may be any one of a number of requirements with respect to the variation of den sity from the center to the outer surface of the conical spray or mist. Some usages require uniform density, other uses may require greater density at the center, other usages may require greater density near the periphery. Any density pattern which may be desired may be o tained in accordance with my invention by suitably varying the velocities and by varying the flow rates by suitable variation of the cross section of the stream in my device.

In the particularly unique embodiments of my device the stream or streams having rotational flow are caused to impinge or intersect a first stream having straight line flow in an essentially helical or spiral or circular pattern. Special characteristics may thus be obtained. Vector analysis for determination of expected characteristics of the cone gives only an approximation when the onward component of the rotational stream is over one third that of the straight line stream at the initial cylinder or at the median of truncated cone interaction. This is especially true where the fluid that is being misted or being sprayed is a liquid of high ratio of surface tension to wetting coeflicient for the material of the wall of emitting orifice and the wall thickness is greater than one tenth the difference between the diameter of the emitting orifice and the diameter of the straight line flow stream before interaction with the rotational flow stream. In general, the distance to which the fluid can be sprayed or the mist propelled is considerably greater for a given pressure and volume than that presently attained. A wider cone angle, especially where the cone is solid, and a greater propelled distance where desired has many obvious advantages. This is in addition to the greater efiiciency of spray or mist production as measured by the ratio of volume of spray or mist or the power necessary for its production. This increased efiiciency is due to the elimination of small openings and mechanically moving parts.

The advantages of the nozzle of my invention, as set forth above, make the nozzle particularly suitable for use as a fire fighting nozzle, but in accordance with the invention 1 may make paint spray nozzles, shower heads, fuel injection nozzles for internal combustion engines, diesel engines, rocket engines and the like, insecticide nozzles and industrial spray nozzles, ionization sprays, sprays for fission and fusion reaction control, sprays for chemical reactors and sprays for colloidal conglomerations.

Nozzles in accordance with my invention may be made of any suitable material such as a metal (brass, steel, aluminum or other suitable metal), plastics, ceramic, and if desired even wood. It is of course to be understood that although the accompanying drawings show preferred embodiments, many variations incorporating my'invention are possible.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2, and 3, there is shown nozzle 1 according to my invention which may be attached to a source of liquid, preferably water, by means of a connector such as the thread at connector 110 which couples the nozzle to tubing Ill. Liquid introduced into the nozzle flows first into the plug valve indicated generally as 13, through inlet 14, from valve 13 the liquid may flow to output orifice l5, simultaneously through tubes 23, 24 and 25 when the valve is in position shown in FIGURE 2. Valve 13 comprises valve housing 16 provided with a rotatable plug member therein which may comprise outer plug wall 17 and center shaft 18 which is connected to outer wall 17' by means not shown. A"- tached center shaft 18 may project the housing 16 through an aperture which may be provided with seals to prevent leakage therethrough by means well known in the art and therefore for the sake of simplicity omitted from the drawings, and to shaft 18 there may be connected operating lever 19. A liquid which flows out from valve 13 toward orifice through tube 25 constitutes a first stream of liquid which flows coaxially with the axis of orifice l5 and which therefore has a flow pattern which may be described as straight line flow. Tube 23 connects with chamber immediately adjacent outlet 15. Tubes 24 and 25 likewise connect with chamber 2% and are so arranged, as shown, as to introduce the streams flowing therethrough into chamber 20 in a tangential manner with respect to the stream flowing through tube 23. Thus the streams introduced into chamber 20 through tubes 24 and 25 have a rotational component with respect to the direction of flow of the stream introduced thereto through tube 23 and may be described as having a rotational flow.

It is to be noted that outlet 15 is not necessarily constricted and is not a nozzle in the sense that the term may be taken to mean a constricted orifice, but is a nozzle only in the sense that liquid may be emitted therefrom in a spray pattern.

By suitably varying the rotational position of the rotatable plug valve member within housing 16 so that wall 17 is suitably displaced from the positon shown in FIGURE 2, there may be provided, as well known in the art with respect to plug valves, any one of the following flow sitnations:

(1) Complete shut off of inlet 14.

(2) Constricted flow simultaneously through each of tubes 23, 2 and 25.

(3) Full flow outward only through tube 23.

(4) Constricted flow outward only through tube 23.

(5) Full flow outward only through tubes 24 and 25.

(6) Cons'tricted flow outward only through tubes 24 and 25.

When flow only through tube 23 is provided, the flow outward from the nozzle is substantially entirely straight line flow and the liquid emitted has the form of a stream, only very slightly diverged in tone, and may be projected a relatively great distance and has relatively great penetration.

When outward flow takes place entirely through tubes 24 and 25 the flow within chamber 20 is substantially entirely rotational and a conical mist or spray is emitted.

When flow takes place through all three of the tubes simultaneously a solid cone mist or spray is emitted.

Referring now to the embodiments of FIGURES 4 and 5, liquid is introduced into chamber 32 adjacent outlet 36 respectively through tubes 31 and 33. The stream of iquid introduced through tube 31 travels substantially coaxially with the axis of outlet 36 and as a straight line flow pattern. Fluid introduced into chamber 32 from tube 33 is a rotational component with respect to the stream entering from 31 and may be described as having rotational how. The spray or mist emitted from outlet 35 is a solid conical mist or spray having an included angle and other characteristics determined by the relative velocity of the streams introduced through tubes 31 and 33, and the relative cross sectional areas i.e., the flowage thereof at the velocity at which the streams enter.

Referring now to the embodiments of FIGURES 6 and 7 and 8, there is shown a nozzle 45 according to my invention which may be attached to a source of liquid, preferably water, by means of a connector such as the threaded connector 43 which may couple the nozzle to a liquid source. Liquid introduced into the nozzle 4t flows first into cylindrical tube 41, then through a straight line output orifice 63 as well as through the orifices 47 which are offset from and in a plane parallel to the axis of the straight line orifice 63, orifices being on opposing sides of orifice 63 and extending at an opposing angle to each other. The liquid passes through orifices 63 and 47 and into cylindrical tube 42 from which the desired spray pattern is emitted through discharge aperture 51. Cylindrical tube 41 is received within cylindrical tube 42; the forward closed end &4 of tube 41 may be rotated and thereby brought forward and into closer proximity with closed end 50 of tube 42 to adjust the spray pattern by varying the rotational position of peripheral dowels 46 of tube 41 within the helical slots 53 of tube 42:, thus obtaining the desired change in spray pattern. The cylindrical tube 41 may be provided with a peripheral gasket or flange 45 near the closed end 44 to prevent leakage of fluid from back pressure within tube 42. Tube d1 may have peripheral flange 48 to receive a wrench for tightening threaded connector end 43 and tube 42 may have a peripheral flange 52 near the discharge aperture end 51 In FIGURES 9, and 11 is shown another embodiment of my invention comprising means for varying the emission pattern of the liquid in accordance with the invention. The nozzle indicated generally as 66 is rotatably attached to a liquid source by means of threads 56 on the open end of the cylindrical tube 5 Liquid may pass through tube 54 thence through orifice 58 and orifice 4% and into cylindrical 'tube 55, orifice 65 being a straight line flow orifice and orifice 58 being extended offset from and on a plane parallel to the axis of orifice 65. Cylindrical tube 54 fits within cylindrical tube 55 and the desired spray pattern is emitted from the discharge aperture 61 of the enclosed end 62 of cylindrical tube 55. As orifice 58 and orifice 65 of cylindrical tube 54 are brought into closer proximity with the discharge aperture 61 on the enclosed end 62 of cylindrical tube 55, this adjustment of cylindrical tube 54- within cylindrical tube 55 being brought about by external threads 5'7 on tube 54 being rotationally adjusted within internal threads 59 of tube 55, the flow from orifice 58 is substantially shut off and the emission from discharge orifice 61 is substantially entirely from straight line flow orifice 65.

While certain modifications and embodiments of the invention have been described, it is of course to be understood that there are a great number of variations which will suggest themselves to anyone familiar with the subject matter thereof and it is distinctly understood that this invention should not be limited except by such limitations as are clearly imposed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The method of merging at least two streams of fluid into a single emittent flowing body of liquid which is continuously variable in pattern from a nearly cylindrical stream to a wide angle cone and also continuously variable from greatest fluid density near the center of the cone to greatest fluid density at the edges of the cone, which comprises the steps of providing a first liquid stream having an axis and providing a second liquid stream having an axis and directing the second stream into intersection With said first stream so that the axis of said second stream is at an angle to said first stream and nonintersecting with the axis of said first stream and restricting said streams at the intersection to a substantially cylindrical stream which is substantially coaxial and concentric with said first stream and is continuously varying in pattern from a nearly cylindrical stream to a wide angle solid cone and in which the cone is also continuously varying in density from a stream having its greatest fluid density near the center of the cone to a stream having its greatest fluid density at the edges of the cone.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said solid cone pattern has a cone angle greater than 15.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the flow in said cone pattern has greater density at the center than at the periphery.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cone pattern has uniformity of density across the cone.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the density of fluid in said cone pattern is greater at the periphery than at the center.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,319,527 Kreuzhage Oct. 21, 1919 2,127,883 Norton Aug. 23, 1938 2,248,728 Strosk July 8, 1941 2,904,263 Tate et al Sept. 15, 1959 

1. THE METHOD OF MERGING AT LEAST TWO STREAMS OF FLUID INTO A SINGLE EMITTENT FLOWING BODY OF LIQUID WHICH IS CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE IN PATTERN FROM A NEARLY CYLINDRICAL STREAM TO A WIDE ANGLE CONE AND ALSO CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE FROM GREATEST FLUID DENSITY NEAR THE CENTER OF THE CONE TO GREATEST FLUID DENSITY AT THE EDGES OF THE CONE, WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF PROVIDING A FIRST LIQUID STREAM HAVING AN AXIS AND PROVIDING A SECOND LIQUID STREAM HAVING AN AXIS AND DIRECTING THE SECOND STREAM INTO INTERSECTION WITH SAID FIRST STREAM SO THAT THE AXIS OF SAID SECOND STREAM IS AT AN ANGLE TO SAID FIRST STREAM AND NONINTERSECTING WITH THE AXIS OF SAID FIRST STREAM AND RESTRICTING SAID STREAMS AT THE INTERSECTION TO A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL STREAM WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY COAXIAL AND CONCENTRIC WITH SAID FIRST STREAM AND IS CONTINUOUSLY VARYING IN PATTERN FROM A NEARLY CYLINDRICAL STREAM TO A WIDE ANGLE SOLID CONE AND IN WHICH THE CONE IS ALSO CONTINUOUSLY VARYING IN DENSITY FROM A STREAM HAVING ITS GREATEST FLUID DENSITY NEAR THE CENTER OF THE CONE TO A STREAM HAVING ITS GREATEST FLUID DENSITY AT THE EDGES OF THE CONE. 